Denver's love affair with Italian cuisine is heating up! A wave of new pasta-centric restaurants has hit the Mile High City, each with its own unique twist. From traditional to experimental, these eateries are a testament to the diverse and vibrant food scene in Denver.
The trend began with the opening of Boombots Pasta Shop in Sunnyside last November, followed by Florence Supper Club and Johnny Bechamel's, both west of Washington Park, and most recently, Dear Emilia in the River North Art District.
But here's the twist: despite their Italian inspiration, these restaurants offer vastly different culinary experiences.
Heather Morrison, co-owner of Dear Emilia, believes that Denver's appetite for pasta knows no bounds. "There are endless ways to create and perfect pasta dishes, and Denver's culinary scene is a prime example of that diversity," she says.
Dear Emilia pays homage to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, with dishes like anolini filled with beef cheek and tossed in a creamy Parmigiano sauce, and a unique take on lasagna verde with a twist of squash miso jus.
On the other hand, Boombots takes a more experimental approach, pushing the boundaries of pasta with dishes like smoked duck and green chile lumache and everything-seasoned cavatelli stroganoff. Founder Cliff Blauvelt explains, "We want to make pasta fun and creative. It's about looking at it through a different lens and exploring unique flavor combinations."
While northwest Denver has historically been known for its Italian restaurants, the Washington Park area is now making its mark. Carmine's, a longstanding favorite, now faces competition from Johnny Bechamel's and Florence Supper Club, each bringing their own unique take on Italian-American cuisine.
Chef Spencer White of Johnny Bechamel's describes their approach: "We start with an idea of an Italian-American restaurant, but it always becomes our own with our unique touches." Their menu features playful twists, like matzo meatballs made with ground pork and chicken, and lasagnette with a creative twist on the classic layers.
Florence Supper Club, on the other hand, stays true to traditional East Coast Italian cuisine, with dishes like meatballs in red sauce and chicken parmesan. Chef and co-owner Miles Odell explains, "These dishes are a tribute to the evolution of Italian food on the East Coast. We want to honor the classic flavors that we grew up with."
So, which Italian-inspired restaurant will you choose? Will it be the traditional flavors of Florence, the experimental twists of Boombots, or the unique tribute to Emilia-Romagna at Dear Emilia? One thing's for sure: Denver's love affair with Italian food is far from over.
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